The Winning Business – David McConachie Almost ‘Binqs’ in Barcelona k5zx

Spain reigned in Barcelona as Pau Veciana became the 888poker Barcelona Main Event champion for $78,650. As the dust settled on the final table, however, we found out that runner-up Dave McConachie has more than the $48,875 second-place prize to cheer, as his business, Binq Poker, goes from strength to strength in the business world.

Big Business for 888poker in Barcelona 165461

In pure number , the 888poker Barcelona Main Event was a huge hit in the Catalan former Capital of Culture. A total of 459 entries created a $388,150 prizepool, with just 55 players reaching the money. 888poker player Aaron Barone finished 50^th for $2,800, British player Jack Hardcastle came 24^th for $3,370, while Italian Paul Minzariu missed out on the final table on the bubble, coming 10^th for $5,615.

At the final table, another Italian was the chip leader, as Mauro Panto led with 9.73 million chips, good for 122 big blinds. At that stage, the eventual winner Veciana was on 29 big blinds in fourth and the runner-up McConachie was way back in the field on 930,000 chips, just 12 big blinds.

One of four Spanish players to make the final table was Martin Guerrero, but he busted for $7,085 in ninth place before Serbia’s Alexander Sokolovsky (8^th for $9,000), and another Spaniard Cipriano Bonet (7^th for $11,460) busted too.

A massive all-in with six left saw two head to the rail, as Hector Garcia (6^th for $14,600) and Italy’s Fabio Peluso (5^th for $18,700) departed. Both men held ace-king, but Panto’s pocket jacks were behind them and the curtain came down on both of their challenges as the chip leader looked like he was taking control. He was wrong, however.

Everything was about to change.

Veciana Victorious in Final Duel 1a451m

With four left, Estonian player Johnny Lindroos was sent to the rail by the eventual winner. Lindroos saw his ace-four dominated to defeat by Veciana’s ace-queen as he left with $24,150. The overwhelming chip leader was Panto, who at that stage had 18.79 million chips, with Veciana (4.08m) and especially McConachie (765,000) miles behind. That all changed, though, as Panto lost hand after hand, McConachie doubling up three times to bounce off the canvas in style.

A massive cooler saw McConachie take a shock lead when his straight beat Panto’s rivered trips. A long period without anyone leaving ended with Veciana taking out the former chip leader, as Panto’s jack-seven lost to the Spanish player’s king-queen. Heads-up, Veciana had a 3:1 chip lead but the two men were level before long.

A deal was discussed, but the numbers wouldn’t align for both players, and they battled on.

“In hindsight, you always have 20/20 vision,” McConachie joked with us after the event. A huge double for the Brit gave him what looked an unassailable 6:1 chip lead but in No Limit Hold’em, they say you’re never more than a couple of big hands from the door and so it proved.

A coinflip went the Spaniard’s way before a crucial flush beat McConachie’s straight.  Soon, king-six lost to king-nine, after a cruel board of K-J-2-J-7 out-kicked McConachie and Veciana has the $78,650 top prize. McConachie had to settle for $48,875 in second.

McConachie on the Business and Poker Trail 1v4l1u

“Anyone can play the game – there’s room for multiple different styles.”

Though he may have lost, McConachie was happy after the event, having played great and run so deep in the event.

“As always, the event was expertly delivered by the 888poker team including Head of Brand Marketing Idan Strawczynski. Poker presents a chance to meet people from so many different countries and cultures. On this particular trip, I made new friends from Finland, Iceland and the Ukraine! The final table itself (pictured above) featured players from Spain, Italy, Finland, Russia and, of course, the United Kingdom.”

McConachie’s expertise at the poker – a side hustle where he has won over $900,000 – is impressive. The former corporate crusher, who spent over twenty years working for some of the world’s leading advertising companies, is ionate about poker’s skillset teaching those in business a few new tricks. To that end, he created Binq Poker.

“Poker both requires and teaches a variety of skills which have relevance in business and everyday life,” he says. “Anyone can play the game and there is room for multiple different styles, any of which can be successful on any given day.”

Binq on the Big Stage 2f4j5f

“Poker is such a cerebral game.”

Building his first company, McConachie took that feeling that poker could help people i the corporate world he was leaving behind. To say the company has been a success is an understatement. Binq Poker host seminars, events and even have a charitable arm.

“I decided to create a business where I could teach the skills of poker to a non-poker audience and also run events which introduce predominantly new players to the game,” says McConachie. “At Binq Poker we are truly bringing the Poker Room to the Boardroom.”

If it sounds like a winning business idea deserving of the late stages of The Apprentice, that’s because it may be. McConachie is just as keen to point out that Binq Poker gives back, however, and there are two very personal reasons he selected Alzheimer’s Society as his chosen charity.

“Firstly, my mother suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2023 which really brought home how precious full brain function is,” he reveals. “Any organisation doing research into helping individuals affected with brain injuries deserve so much love and respect. Secondly, poker is such a cerebral game itself. Not having access to full brain function would severely impact one’s ability to play which again was another reminder of how lucky I am to be able to compete.”

McConachie considers himself lucky to be part of the game of poker. Maybe so, but poker – and business – is luckier still to have him.